Gingrich blasts the debate's moderator for asking about comments made by his ex-wife.
(CNN)

(Newser)
–
Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul all had their moments in last night's GOP debate, but it was Newt Gingrich's night thanks to his fiery first five minutes, pundits say.

Rick Santorum took the fight to Gingrich and Romney and was the "central mover in the debate," but Newt's condemnation of the media was "his finest hour in the race," writes Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post. He took a potential weak spot and "turned it into a moment of considerable strength." Romney, for the first time, "found a compelling message when it came to questions about his considerable personal wealth," he notes.

Some of Santorum's attacks on Gingrich's "fealty to conservative social causes were substantively correct" but they probably won't be enough to slow Newt's momentum, decides Jonathan Cohn at the New Republic. Romney's "rambling and unclear" response to tax questions he must have known were coming makes Cohn wonder if Romney's tax returns are "even more damning than speculation has suggested."

The debate was a "triumph for Gingrich," writes Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Beast. Romney, however, looked flat next to "Santorum's brutal, relentless attacks, Newt's contempt," and "Paul's jocular indifference," and could now be in serious trouble, he writes.

Dream on it's not happening, these debates and especially Newt's comments aren't doing the GOP any good they should have stopped weeks ago. The only one that wins when the clowns debate is Obama.

Twiny

Jan 20, 2012 11:32 AM CST

I find it amazing that you Repubs out there are siding with Newt regarding CNN's question to him about him wanting an open marriage. It is a valid question because it relates directly to the morality of the man. Christ, you Repubs couldn't wait to impeach Clinton for a blowjob, yet you're willing to put a serial cheater and liar in the same office. What the HELL is wrong with you people? Is this your idea of 'family values'?

Major7

Jan 20, 2012 11:31 AM CST

Newt is a very smart man. He's quick on his feet, and he'd probably give BHO a run for his money in debates. But he'd make a terrible president. Much worse than BHO. I wouldn't vote for him in a million years. I'd vote for Romney if he'd grow a pair. As it sits today, I'll vote for BHO even though I'm ticked off at him for killing the pipeline and for his general wussiness in domestic affairs. Foreign policy is not bad. You gotta give him credit for that. But BHO does have a knack on focusing on the wrong priorities. He's beatable if the Repubs can get their act together. I'm not sure they can do that.